Policeman gets non-custodial penalty for assault

The District Court in Madang has given a non- custodial penalty to the policeman, who was responsible for the attack on Madang’s senior paediatrician, Dr Jimmy Aipit and his family in early February this year.

Constable Greg Wii was placed on a twelve-month good behaviour bond, whilst his criminal charges are still pending in court.

His four accomplices were also given the same penalty.

However, this ruling of March 25 was only for the two summary charges, which included the unlawful assault on Dr Aipit’s son, Luther Aipit, and for the use of threatening behaviour.

The court ordered that the four accomplices, still in custody, pay a fine of one thousand kina each by March 28th, which was last Friday. Failing this, the court stated that they will be imprisoned for one year.

It is unclear at this time whether they have paid up or not.

Wii was also ordered to comply with all the conditions outlined in the previous court order.

His criminal charges were deferred to April 2, which was yesterday, for mention whilst his court bail was extended.

His criminal charges include the unlawful assault on Dr Aipit, his wife, Susan Aipit, and their babysitter, Anna Nego, resulting in them sustaining serious bodily harm.

Wii faced two firearm charges: one for unlawfully using a high-powered firearm to threaten Dr. Aipit, in violation of Section 65B of the Firearms Amended Offences Act, 2022, and the other for unlawfully discharging a police-issued firearm over a location, identified as Dr. Aipit’s residence, on Regina Avenue within the Kalibobo area of Madang town.

This contravened Section 59 [1] of the Firearms Amended Offences Act of 2022.